This FridayReady, set, film: 48-Hour Film Project

While most films typically take months, even years to create, this weekend, 39 Richmond teams will have 48 hours - 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a film they’re proud to call their own.

Established in 2001 by Mark Ruppert, the 48 Hour Film Project strives to advance filmmaking and encourage those interested in the field to get out there and make movies.

“The main purpose of the project is to give filmmakers, whether professional or just getting started, the opportunity to show their work to the Richmond community,” said Ellie St. John, Richmond producer of the 48HFP.

In 2008, over 30,000 filmmakers from 70 cities participated in the competition. And this year, the project is even bigger, gaining recognition worldwide.

“It really has evolved into the world’s largest film competition and has been very successful,” said St. John, adding that this is the third year Richmond has participated in the festival.

On Friday, July 17, the competition will begin with a Kickoff Event, where teams will draw the genre for their film out of a hat. In addition, a character, prop and line of dialogue will be announced which must appear in the films as well.

Though the 48-hour time limit seems like an unusual restriction, it serves not only to emphasize teamwork but also creativity.

“I think people will be amazed to see the quality of the films that are made from start to finish in such a short weekend,” said St. John.

On Saturday, July 25 from 11 a.m.-4 pm, the films will be screened at the Byrd Theater, located at 2908 West Cary Street, and attendees will have the chance to vote on their favorite one. City winners will have the opportunity to compete for the title of the “Best 48 Hour Film of 2009” and have their film screened at Filmapalooza, the official 48HFP Award weekend, which will take place for the first time at the 2010 NAB Show™ in Las Vegas. The screenings will be shown at no cost to attendees.

“We encourage everyone to come out and see what Virginia filmmakers can do in one weekend,” said St. John.